49ers linebacker Aldon Smith arrested at LAX

Linebacker Aldon Smith of the 49ers was arrested by police Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport and booked for making a false report of a bomb threat.

Smith was going through security screening at Terminal 1 around 2 p.m. Sunday "when he made a comment indicating that he was in possession of a bomb," according to Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Karla Ortiz.

Smith, 24, was booked into LAPD's Pacific division for being in violation of California Penal Code 148.1(a) regarding the bomb threat, which is punishable up to a year in jail. Smith was released on $20,000 bail.

File: San Francisco 49ers Aldon Smith (99) warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group)
(Josie Lepe)

"Los Angeles Airport Police made contact with him in the gate area where he became uncooperative," Ortiz said in a statement. "After conducting their investigation, L.A. Airport Police took suspect into custody and transported him to LAPD-Pacific division where he was booked."

Smith was "belligerent and uncooperative with the TSA agent" before making the bomb threat, Ortiz said in an earlier statement.

Smith was at Gate 6 of Terminal 1 when confronted by several police, who then led Smith away from the Southwest gate, according to eyewitness John Egan of Austin, Texas.

"I heard him say, 'I did nothing wrong,' " Egan said. "The whole thing ratcheted up from there. The cops were trying to calm him down. He wasn't out of control; just agitated."

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Ortiz said it was observed Smith may have been drinking, adding it was not a factor to his arrest on the bomb threat. That could be relevant to the 49ers' concerns, however, as Smith missed five games last season while undergoing substance-abuse treatment.

"We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment."

File: San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith (99) participates in pre-game warm-ups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group)
(Josie Lepe)

Smith has had multiple run-ins with police since joining the 49ers in 2011 and becoming one of the franchise's all-time best pass rushers (42 sacks in 43 regular-season games).

Last September, Smith was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence after a single-car accident in San Jose, two days before a game against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith played in that game and then went on a five-week voluntary leave to attend a substance-abuse treatment facility.

Smith is also facing three felony counts of possessing illegal assault rifles, which deputies discovered after a June 2012 party at Smith's San Jose home. Smith sustained stab wounds at the party, and two partygoers were wounded by gunfire from alleged gang members.

After his breakout rookie season, Smith was arrested in Miami Beach in January 2012 for suspicion of drunken driving, a charge that was reduced to reckless driving. He was injured nine months later as a passenger in a single-car accident near his San Jose home.

Smith has produced 42 regular-season sacks since the 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Missouri.

Jed York, the 49ers CEO, told reporters at last month's league meetings in Florida that Smith seemed to be doing well and has received help from several people, within the confines of the league's collective bargaining agreement.

"You can do so much. Somebody has to work for themselves if they're going to get through these issues," York said. "We want to be very supportive of Aldon and let him know that if he needs anything we're here for him. We want to make sure that he continues to work through this.

"But I think it's literally one day at a time, and we're there for him. But we also don't want to be too in-his-face and make it more stick than carrot."

Smith is scheduled to make $2.35 million this season, and the 49ers have until May 3 to decide whether to pick up his option for 2016.

He set a franchise rookie record with 14 sacks, then set the overall franchise mark with 19½ sacks in 2012. He had 8½ sacks last season before adding 3½ during a postseason run that ended in the NFC Championship game at Seattle.

At least eight other 49ers have been the subjects of police investigations since 2012, including quarterback Colin Kaepernick and wide receiver Quinton Patton regarding an incident with a woman April 1 in Miami.

Cornerback Chris Culliver pleaded not guilty Friday to misdemeanor hit-and-run and felony possession of brass knuckles charges in Santa Clara County Superior Court, stemming from a March 28 incident in San Jose.

Other 49ers who've had police encounters are linebacker Ahmad Brooks (no assault charges filed after June 2013 incident); offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore (arrested in January and charged with public intoxication); wide receiver Michael Crabtree (not charged with sexual assault in January 2013 after a police investigation); offensive linemen Al Netter (suspicion of drunken driving, February 2013); and defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs (suspicion of driving under the influence, November 2012).